#DanburyCT#MiddleburyCT Hello, this is Doctor Paul Betschart here, your local podiatrist from Danbury. I would like to talk to you today about flatfoot and how it can affect the entire body.
Most of us would assume that flatfoot only affects, well, the foot. Therefore, it may be surprising that it can affect other parts of the body. However, when an individual loses the support of their arch, weight is then shifted to other areas, such as the hips or knees. When the feet are not carrying a person properly, the rest of the lower body tries to make up for it. Consequently, the body feels a lot of pain because of the strain and misalignment.
If you are struggling with flatfoot, I encourage you to come see me, Doctor Betschart, at my office here in Danbury.
Get a FREE Consultation by calling 203-791-0466

The humble toenails; we pinch them with tight or narrow shoes. We wash them, trim them and polish them. We look at them every day. But do we give them credit for the important job they play? Toenails are a level of protection for your toes in the event of injury. The hard surface reinforces the bone, flesh and muscle that it covers. It’s critical for overall foot health to keep the toenails healthy and strong. Patients with Diabetes Must Stay on Top of Toenail Health Individuals with diabetes must monitor their overall body health. Diabetes can bring some serious complications and even something as seemingly insignificant as your toenails can be an indicator of a problem. Do your toenails look normal or have they become thick and brittle? You may have a fungus infection called onychomycosis. With this condition, the nails break off easily into sharp points that can cause tiny cuts in the surrounding tissue and skin. Any break in the skin can let bacteria in, especially in the feet where they are not easily observed. Often neuropathy goes hand in hand with diabetes. Neuropathy, a nerve damage disease, causes loss of sensation in the extremities like the feet. You may not be able to feel cuts, sores or other types of foot damage that can lead to foot ulcers. Good Foot Care Can Reduce the Risk of Infections Practice good foot care to limit your risk of developing toenail or other fungus: • Keep feet clean with a daily wash in soapy water, rinse and dry carefully, especially between the toes. • Don’t go barefoot. Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes and warm socks for protection. Look for fabric that can wick moisture away from the feet; cotton does not do this well. Look for acrylic fabrics. • Wear shower shoes or flip flops when visiting public pools, showers, gyms and showers. • If you do a home pedicure, clean nail care tools thoroughly each time and sterilize with alcohol. • Stay away from artificial fingernails that may trap water and harbor fungus. Importantly, inspect your feet every day and call Advanced Foot & Ankle Center if you spot any change in appearance. Check toenails too for changes, especially in color or shape. Anemia sometimes causes toenails to appear paler or white. Rounded nails can be a sign of infection, lung disease or even certain kinds of cancer. We Can Help with any Toenail, Foot or Ankle Problems Please don’t hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns on your foot health. Dr. Paul Betschart, board certified podiatrist will quickly diagnose any problem and discuss the best treatment options with you. You can reach our Danbury office at (203) 791-0466 or our Middlebury office at (203) 754-2249 or reach us via the website. Your toes are valuable, don’t wait too long to address any problems you may see

You know the telltale bump on the outside of the big toe that makes wearing shoes so difficult. The bony protrusion, caused by the joint at the base of the big toe moving out of place, gets a lot of friction from shoes and a lot of pressure from bearing weight, which creates pain both inside and out. At Advanced Foot & Ankle Care, we want our patients to be informed about the causes and treatments of this common complaint. Bunion Causes A bunion is actually the result of a bone deformity. First, the joint at the base of the big toe begins to move out of place due to an imbalance in the weight distribution on the joints and tendons. The big toe drifts toward the second toe, eventually causing the bump on the side of the toe. Although bunions themselves are not hereditary, the faulty foot structure that causes the misalignment of the toe bone can be genetic. Other causes of bunions are an injury and arthritis. Diagnosis and Treatment Although a bunion is readily visible, our podiatrist, Dr. Paul Betschart, may order an x-ray to see the degree of deformity and how far the bunion has progressed. Once the bunion has been evaluated, a treatment plan can be determined that is right for you. There are several conservative measures the foot doctor can use, including: • Icing-to relieve inflammation and pain • Medications-nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen may be prescribed for pain relief • Padding-placed over the bunion to help protect it and reduce friction from footwear • Orthotics-inserted into shoes can help correct mechanical defects and shift pressure off the affected joints Your footwear choices can also make a big difference in your comfort level. Choose shoes with roomy toe boxes and low heels to minimize pain and pressure. For more information on how to treat a bunion, contact our Danbury or Middlebury office for an appointment. 203 791-0466

Maybe you’ve never visited a podiatrist before. Perhaps you’ve never seen a need to go to a foot and ankle doctor, and therefore, the topic has not been given much thought. That’s okay. I’m here today to tell you why seeing a podiatrist may be just what the doctor ordered. My name is Doctor Paul Betschart, and I have a podiatry office here in Danbury, CT. I see lots of people all the time who have a plethora of problems with their feet: bunions, diabetic foot, flatfoot, ingrown toenails…you name it. Sometimes people put off going to the doctor because they feel that they can deal with issues on their own. However, home remedies fail while symptoms continue, and thus the pain sufferer knows that they must seek help from a professional. Perhaps you deal with sore feet at night. Maybe your toenails are discolored or cracked. Maybe you feel like your feet have lost their proper arch support. I would be happy to take a look at your feet and advise you regarding any underlying problems that you may not be aware of. You may be surprised about how much better you feel afterward. Why not visit me at my office here in Danbury?

“Ow!” Is that the word of the day for you most of the time? If so, you need relief from your foot pain fast. I’m here to help. I’m Doctor Paul Betschart and I am a foot doctor in Danbury. Today, I would like to present part two of my three part series on ways that you can eliminate heel pain. Footwear is everything! If you are on your feet all day at work, are an avid runner, or are involved in other forms of athletics, it is important to choose footwear that provides sufficient cushioning and support for your feet. Your feet need the assistance of absorbing the shock of pounding the pavement. Just changing your shoes can help a lot. However, if you suffer with heel pain, you should also stay under the watchful eye of a licensed podiatrist. Why not come see me, here in Danbury or Middlebury? I will get to the root of the problem and get you back in action fast!

If you suffer with intense heel pain, you will be excited to read today’s post. Hello friends, this is Doctor Paul Betschart, and I’m here today to give residents of Danbury tips on eliminating heel pain. One of the ways to find relief from heel pain is to give your feet rest every day. If you work a job that keeps you on your feet all day, especially a position where you are continually pounding the pavement, your feet are going to naturally become tired and sore. At the end of the day, put your feet up and relax. Take some time to allow your heels to recover from the strain that they’ve been put through.

If you suffer with heel pain, I invite you to come visit me at my podiatry office here in Danbury.

I know that many foot ailments can be life-interrupting. I’m Doctor Paul Betschart, a podiatrist in Danbury. Sometimes foot pain can be excruciating and keep you from doing the things that you would like. Sometimes unsightly afflictions can cause embarrassment to the point where you cover your feet as much as possible. I want to encourage you that there is hope for whatever condition you are dealing with. You don’t have to keep suffering and living like a prisoner day after day. I would love to help you get your life back. Why not make an appointment today to see me, Doctor Betschart, at my office in Danbury Get a FREE Consultation by calling 203-791-0466 or use the request box on the home page

Many people may not realize how much their weight affects their feet, but it is actually quite a significant factor in one’s health and well-being. Good day, Danbury! This is Doctor Paul Betschart here to talk to you today about the connection between our weight and a condition called flatfoot. If you’ve been thinking about losing those extra pounds, let me give you a great reason to do so. Our weight put a lot of pressure on the main tendon that holds up the arch on our foot, and over time, that tendon can weaken if it continually put under stress. If the tendon gives way, then we lose our arch and thus become flatfooted. Because of this condition, weight is then applied to other parts of the foot, which causes severe pain and agony.

If you have flatfoot, please come see me for help at my office here in Danbury, CT.

It is estimated that nearly 25% of individuals that have been diagnosed with diabetes experience complications with their feet. Hi, I’m Doctor Paul Betschart, and I have a podiatry practice here in Danbury, CT. I know how difficult it can be sometimes to fight the condition known as diabetic foot. I’m here to help. Diabetic foot is a condition where small cuts and bruises on the feet can become dangerous, due to the fact that many diabetics experience neuropathy, which keeps them from detecting injuries. Therefore, a simple blister can turn into a foot ulcer that eats away at the flesh if not dealt with promptly. While it is important for diabetics to regularly check their feet for any injuries, it is equally necessary to have regular check-ups at your local podiatrist’s office. If you live in the Danbury area, please keep me in mind for your next appointment.

Foot ulcers. I shudder just thinking about them. I’m Doctor Paul Betschart, and I’m a podiatrist here in Danbury, CT. I am on a mission to help my patients combat foot ulcers and eliminate them entirely. Foot ulcers are sneaky, especially since they start off small in the form of a blister or abrasion, and then develop into an open wound. The most common suffers of this condition are diabetics who struggle with neuropathy. This is a dangerous combination, because neuropathy hinders the body from sensing the normal pains of a wound, thus potentially leaving it undetected and open for further development and infection. If you suffer with foot ulcers, or are concerned about the potential for developing one, I want to help you conquer them head-on! Stop by and see me, at my office in Danbury and let’s talk!